Coordinated news and map display device



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July 21, 1959 `M. w. WELCH 2,895,233 CDDRDINATED Nsws AND MAP DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Dec. 13, 1955 WOELD ll/WEER l cnNADA UNITED LATE5 .50UTH AMERICA INVENToR. y Meda/a )Y WeZc/Z,

NEWS AND MAP DISPLAY DEVICE cooRnINArED The present invention relates generally to a device adapted for use in coordinating items of general interest such as news items with the section of the world in which such items have occurred. More specically, the present invention relates to Ia map mounting unit adapted for coordinating news with the location of its occurrence, which unit includes readily accessible maps mounted thereon which are adapted to be retained in flush relation with said unit by suitable clamping means provided with location iinding coordinates. Y

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact unit capable of coordinating news items with map-detined areas in which such news items have occurred thereby serving a two-fold purpose of instruction from the standpoint of news dissemination as Well as geographical location.

A further object taken in conjunction with the foregoing is to provide a unit'capable of coordinating changing news items with their respective sources of occurrence, the unit being fully equipped to disseminate all types of news items from a geographical standpoint and further being adapted to be kept up to date with respect to new vnews items without requiring expensive maintenance or changes of any type in its operative elements.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent from the following'detailed description of the present invention'taken in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the coordinated news and map display `device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. `1

Fig. 3 is a sectional View `of the device of Fig. 1 along line 3 3 in Fig. 1; and i Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a magnetized key element adapted for use with the device of Fig. l.

The device of the present invention is of relatively simple construction and is adapted for permanent nstallation requiring'little if no upkeep in maintaining the device in line with changing events of a world wide or local nature'.v Referringto'Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing,':thecoordinated news and map display device generally designated by the numeral comprisesa backing member `or base panel `11 having a forwardly nextending frame 12 about the outer periphery thereof. Located centrally of the base panel 11 is mounted a magnet responsive plate 13 which is positioned slightly outwardly fromthe forward face of the panel 11 by spacers 14 through which extend fastening screws 15 which in turn xedly secure the magnet responsive plate 13 to the base panel 11. The plate 13 is formed from any suitable material suchas thin steel which is magnet responsive in nature for purposes `to be described. Positionedy directly abovethe plate 13 on the base panel 11 are a series of vertically spaced yrolled maps 16. These maps as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are of conventional design in that they are rolled upon spring controlled rollers,

2,895,233 Patented July 21, 1959 iig@ similar to conventional spring operated shades, which are suitably held -in brackets 17. Each of the maps 16 have depending tabs 18 which may be grasped to draw the maps from their respective rollers in a Vdownward direction over the front face of the plate 13. The brackets 17 supporting the maps 16 are suitably attached to the base panel 11.y

Along the vertical `sides of the plate 13 are a series of graduated markings 19, some of which are shown in Fig. 1. Such graduated indicia can `be positioned on the front face of the base panel 11 along both of the vertical edges of the plate 13 and are provided for the purpose of using coordinates supplied in a manner to be described to locate geographical points of interest. Horizontal graduated indicia 20 are provided on a horizontally extending Aslide or coordinate locating map clamping means 21, two of which are shown in Fig. l, one being positioned near the upper edge of the plate 13 while the other is positioned near the lower edge thereof. The horizontal coordinate locating means 21 are detachable and removable from the plate 13 due to their particular design which is illust-rated in Fig. 3. Each of the ends of the coordinate locating means 21 contains inwardly turned anges 22 which grip the back surface of the plate 13 thereby retaining the coordinate locating means 2l in slidable relation therewith. To facilitate this type of arrangement, the slides 21 are preferably formed' from spring metal of the type which is adapted to contain flanges 22 which resiliently urge the slides into lContact with the plate 13. As la result, the coordinate locating means 21 can be readily removed from association with the plate 13 and any one of the maps 16 maybe lowered over the front face of the plate 13 and subsequently clamped into flush position against the front face of the plate 13 by the replacement of the strips 2l into their operative position with respect to the plate 13. By this arrangement a map 16 may be held against the front face of the plate 13 in a iiat condition and the strips 21 may be moved vertically with respect to the map and plate thereby facilitating the exact location of the horizontal coordinates referred to in designating an area Von the map. The vertical coordinates 19 may also be readily referred to in conjunction with the horizontal coordinates 20 in the location of designated areas on the map. This particular function will be more thoroughly described in connection with additional features of the present inventron.

Along the bottom segment of the forwardly extending frame 12 is a magnet responsive strip 23 adapted for receiving a plurality of magnetized position fixing number means `or key elements 24 of the type shown in Fig. 4. The elements 24 may be of any shape as long as they are adapted to be magnetically retained by the plate 13 upon contact therewith. As shown in Fig. 4 the elements 24 are cylindrical and contain a V- shaped protrusion 25 along one edge thereof and further contain a printed number on the top surface thereof. The elements 2.4 are provided with fiat bottom surfaces for flush and intimate contact with the forward face of the plate 13. As illustrated in Fig. l the plate 13 contains an outline of a map of the American continent. Such a provision eliminates the need for an additional map of the type designated by the reference numerals 16. For purposes of illustration a number of the elements 24 are shown magnetically held against the front face of the plate 13 at various locations within the confines of the map drawn thereon. When the elements 22tarevnot'in use they may be readily retained by the magnet responsive ystrip 23 association wtih the device so as to alleviate the possibility of the elements 24 being mislaid.

As illustrated in Fig. l the marginal portions of the base panel 11 are adapted to receive printed material or indicia in the form of news items which may consist of sheets of printed information 26 which can be readily fastened to the front face of the base panel 11. In its preferred construction the base panel 11 is formed from wood which is adapted to receive thumb tacks or the like thereby allowing the news items 26 to be readily positioned on the base panel 11 and easily removed therefrom. Each of the news items 26 is intended to disclose current news of interest and, as will be noted, each item is designated by a number. It is intended that during the use of the device of the present invention that each news item will also contain a listing of vertical and horizontal coordinates thereby providing a means for locating the particular point of interest which is the source of the news item on a given map. Each of the news items 26 are further intended to be identified by a numeral thereby allowing the use of an element 24 which contains the same numeral as an identifying means for permanently fixing the location of the source of the news once this location has been determined by reference to the vertical and horizontal coordinates.

For example, the news item designated by the numeral 1 will be scanned to determine which of the maps 16 contains its geographical location; the appropriate map 16 will then be drawn down over the forward face of the plate 13 and clamped thereto by the removable horizontal coordinate-containing strips 21 in the manner previously described; the news item will then again be consulted to determine the horizontal and vertical coordinate values for use in locating the particular source of news on the map in use; the location of this source of news will be determined by use of the vertical coordinate markings 19 and the horizontal coordinate markings 20, and the appropriately numbered key element 24 will be moved into association with the geographical source in such a manner that the V-shaped protrusion 25 of the element will pin-point the source on the map. The maps 16 being of flexible cloth-like material will not interfere with the magnetic attraction existing between the elements 24 and the magnet responsive plate 13. As a result, the elements 24 will be readily retained against the surface of the map and the geographical source of news will be permanently xed for future reference.

Following the permanent xing of the geographical sources of news as previously described, the instructor or news analyst will be in a position to consider each separate news item while referring to the map in use to visually locate each source of news geographically. It should be understood that additional items of interest may also be attached to the marginal areas of the base panel 11 as a source of reference to be used in conjunction with the various maps 16 in the manner described. For'example, items of general interest such as that designated by the numeral 27 in Fig. 1 which discloses statistics and other vital information concerning the world lumber supply may be provided with geographical locatingl coordinates for use with the various maps.

From the above it can be seen that the device of the present invention is highly useful as an information disseminating media. Such a device has particular utility in schools where it is desired to inform the students of worldralairs on a day-by-day or week-by-week basis. The base panel 11, plate 13, maps 16 and key elements 24 form a permanent unit which may be of a portable nature depending on the size and which requires little or no upkeep. In using the device it is merely necessary to subscribe to a news publishing organization which will supply the various news items 26 and other sources of information such as 27 on a daily or weekly basis. Upon the receipt of the news items it is necessary merelyy to remove any old items mounted on the base panel 11 4 and replace these items with the newly received news items in the manner as previously described.

The maps 16, being of conventional construction, may be readily replaced and it should be further apparent that any number of such maps may be used in conjunction with the device. Furthermore, it is not necessary to mount the maps 16 on the brackets 17 as illustrated. It may be desired merely to fasten the uppermost edge of the map to the base plate 11 and fold the map upwardly over the upper edge of the base panel 11 thereby allowing the map to hang downwardly in back of the base panel 11 when not in use. It should be further understood that the plate 13 need not be made from a metal which is magnet responsive but may be merely a wooden plate onto which the maps may be clamped by the movable strips 21. In the instance where a wooden plate 13 is used the key elements 24 may be fastened to the map by the use of pressure sensitive adhesive material of a nature which does not injure the maps in any manner but is capable of adhesively retaining the key elements 24 in place thereon while at the same time allowing them to be readily removed therefrom.

While the foregoing description has been directed to the use of a map mounting unit including a specially designed plate carried thereby and being further provided with marginal areas for receiving items thereon, it should be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention -to utilize a map mounting unit 1l) of plain construction which carries at least one map 16 attached thereto and which is provided with map clamping means 21 removably received by the side margins thereof to hold the extended map 16 in flush relation with the front surface of the map mounting unit 10 when the map 16 is being used. In line with this particular simplified arrangement it is further intended that the map mounting unit 10 may be provided with vertical coordinates 19` along a side margin thereof for use with the horizontal` coordinates 20 carried by the slides 21. In the event that such an arrangement is utilized the maps 16 carried thereby are individually clamped to the front flat surface of the map mounting unit 10 by means of the slidesY *21 which cooperate with the sides of the map mounting unit 10. The news items 26 are then supplied to the students or other observers for their personal and immediate use and the locating coordinates printed on the items are referred to for the purpose of identifying a geographical area on the map 16 clamped in an Y exposed condition on the map mounting unit 10. Under such circumstances any suitable key elements may be used, such as the type previously described which are provided with suitable adhesive material for retention by the map 16. However, the use of the key elements 24 may be .dispensed with in the event that it is desired to use other means of locating geographical points on the various maps.

Obviously many modications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A coordinated news and map display device comprising a base panel, a magnet responsive plate on said panel, a exible map mounted on said panel near the top portion thereof and adapted for downward movement over said plate, detachable and movable coordinate locating means on said plate, said coordinate locating means adapted to resiliently grip the side edges of said plate and slide vertically with respect thereto, said coordinate locating means further adapted to hold a map against the surface of said plate, and marginal portions on said panel for receiving news items.

2. A coordinated news and map display device cornprisingV a base panel, a `magnet responsive plate on said panel, a, flexible map mounted on said panel near the top portion thereof adapted for downward movement over said plate, detachable and movable coordinate locating means on said plate, said coordinate locating means adapted to resiliently grip the side edges of said plate and slide vertically with respect thereto, said coordinate locating means further adapted to hold a map against the surface of said plate, magnetized number means associated with said panel for use with said plate, said magnetized number means adapted for positioning on said map covering said plate and being removably held thereto by magnetic attraction with said plate, and marginal portions on said panel for receiving news items.

3. A coordinated news and map display device comprising a base panel, a magnet responsive plate on said panel, a flexible map mounted on said panel near the top portion thereof adapted for downward movement over said plate, detachable and movable coordinate locating means on said plate, said coordinate locating means adapted to resiliently grip the side edges of said plate and slide vertically with respect thereto, said coordinate locating means further adapted to hold a map against the surface of said plate, magnetized number means associated with said panel for use with said plate, said magnetized number means adapted for positioning on said map covering said plate and being removably held thereto by magnetic attraction with said plate, a frame about the edges of said panel, one of the segments thereof carrying magnet responsive means for the retention of said magnetized number means when the latter are not in use, and marginal portions on said panel for receiving news items.

4. A coordinated news and map display device comprising a base panel, a magnet responsive plate on said panel, a flexible map mounted on said panel near the top portion thereof adapted for downward movement over said plate, detachable and movable coordinate locating means on said plate, said coordinate locating means adapted to resiliently grip the side edges of said plate and slide vertically with respect thereto, said coordinate locating means further adapted to hold a map against the surface of said plate, magnetized number means associated with said panel for use with said plate, said magnetized number means adapted for positioning on said map covering said plate and being removably held thereto by magnetic attraction with said plate, horizontal coordinate locating means on said panel associated with a vertical edge of said plate, and marginal portions on said panel for receiving news items.

5. A coordinated news and map display device comprising a base panel, a magnet responsive plate on said panel, a plurality of vertically spaced maps mounted on said panel near the top portion thereof and adapted for downward movement over said plate, horizontal coordinate locating means on said panel associated with a vertical edge of said plate, detachable and movable vertical coordinate locating means on said plate, said vertical coordinate locating means adapted to resiliently grip the side edges of said plate and slide vertically with respect thereto, said vertical coordinate locating means further adapted to hold a map against the surface of said plate, magnetized number means associated with said panel for use with said plate, said magnetized number means adapted for positioning on a map covering said plate and being removably held thereto by magnetic attraction with said plate, a frame about the edges of said panel, one of the segments thereof carrying magnet responsive means for the retention of said magnetized number means when the latter are not in use, and marginal portions on said panel for receiving news items.

6. A map display device for use in coordinating items of interest with their location of source, said device including a map mounting unit, at least one map mounted on said unit near the top thereof and being downwardly movable across said unit, vertical geographical locating coordinates associated with said unit and cooperating with said map, and clamping means in slidable engagement with said unit to clamp the map in flush relation therewith, said clamping means extending across said unit and being provided with horizontal geographical locating coordinates for use with said vertical coordinates.

7. A map display device for use in coordinating items of interest with their location of source, said device including a map mounting unit, at least one map mounted on said unit near the top thereof and being downwardly movable across said unit, a map backing plate on said unit mounted below said map and adapted to receive said map in its extended position in flush relation with the exposed face thereof, vertical geographical locating coordinates associated with said unit and cooperating with said map, and clamping means in slidable engagement with said plate to clamp the map in ilush relation therewith, said clamping means extending across said plate and being provided with horizontal geographical locating coordinates for use with said vertical coordinates.

8. A map display device for use in coordinating items of interest with their location of source, said device including a map mounting unit, at least one map mounted on said unit near the top thereof and being downwardly movable across said unit, vertical 4geographical locating coordinates associated with said unit and cooperating with said map, clamping means in slidable engagement with said unit to clamp the map in llush relation therewith, said clamping means extending across said unit and being provided with horizontal geographical locating coordinates for use with said vertical coordinates, and position xing means on said map to detachably locate the source of news items.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 281,770 Lamberet et al. July 24, 1883 309,546 Hussey Dec. 23, 1884 1,476,671 Crate Dec. 4, 1923 1,482,440 Pleasants Feb. 5, 1924 1,795,796 Pleasants Mar. 10, 1931 2,001,633 Segovia May 14, 1935 2,191,109 Kittredge Feb. 20, 1940 2,411,300 Southwell Nov. 19, 1946 2,431,827 Rado Dec. 2, 1947 2,570,454 Jervis Oct. 9, 1951 FORElGN PATENTS 166,967 Great Britain July 25, 1921 555,952 Great Britain Sept. 14, 1943 

